Ethiopia and Norway have had diplomatic ties since 1948. The two nations have collaborated on a variety of issues, including development aid, human rights, and climate change. Norway has been a major supporter of Ethiopia, funding programs in education, health, and sustainable development.
Along with these efforts, the two countries have collaborated on peace and security-related matters. Cooperation and mutual respect are the hallmarks of Ethiopia and Norway’s relationship. To share issues and advance regional development and peace, both countries are still cooperating.
Norway, in particular, has been a strong supporter of Ethiopia’s efforts to combat climate change through a variety of initiatives and projects. It supports renewable energy initiatives in Ethiopia. It has also offered financial and technical assistance to Ethiopia’s renewable energy projects, including hydroelectric and wind power plants. These initiatives help Ethiopia reduce its dependency on fossil fuels and shift to greener energy sources. The country also supports REDD+, which reduces emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. Norway has backed Ethiopia’s efforts to conserve and restore forests through the REDD+ initiative. This effort seeks to minimize deforestation and forest degradation emissions while encouraging sustainable forest management methods.
Norway, based on its experience, has offered Ethiopia with capacity-building and technical help for climate change mitigation and adaptation. This assistance improves Ethiopia’s ability to implement climate-friendly policies and practices. Norway has also collaborated closely with Ethiopia on international climate change negotiations, calling for bold climate action on a global scale. Both nations have worked together on projects to promote sustainable development and mitigate the effects of climate change. As a result, Ethiopia and Norway’s collaboration on climate change illustrates their common commitment to solving global issues. Working together, both countries contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future for everyone.
More precisely, an agreement worth 75 million USD has been signed by Ethiopia and Norway to lower greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. This agreement takes into consideration Ethiopia’s efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change. Norway’s Minister of Climate and Environment, Andreas Bjelland Eriksen, and Ethiopian Finance Minister Ahmed Shide signed the deal.
Ethiopian Ministry of Finance Minister Ahmed Shide said that Ethiopia has invested over 82 billion USD in climate change mitigation and adaptation programs and the majority of the finance office projects and programs come from public finance supplemented with international development aid.
He added that the Ethiopian government continues to prioritize combating climate change and poverty reduction, as well as developing a climate-resilient economy. As a consequence of the two nations’ agreement, Ethiopia would be able to continue improving its efforts in forestry and environmental preservation.
He further stated that Ethiopia and Norway have long-standing diplomatic relations, and shared common interests including peace and security, migration, climate change, private sector growth, gender equality, and so on. Hence, “The partnership agreement that was signed between Ethiopia and Norway is yet another testimony of our successful collaboration and achievement during the past decade. It marks a new era of collaboration and partnership, including through a resulted-based payment approach in the run to 2030.”
According to him, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s nationwide tree-planting effort as part of the Green Legacy Initiative demonstrates the country’s commitment to combating the detrimental effects of climate change. Norway also supports the effort in a variety of ways.
Norway Climate and Environment Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen said that his country has been a long-standing partner of Ethiopia in fighting climate change and forest development. “We were one of the first countries to fully commit our long-term support for Ethiopia’s climate resilient green economy strategy when launched in Durban in 2011.”
As stated by him, Ethiopia has been a true African continent leader in formulating and implementing green economic development strategies over the past decade. The Green Legacy program, launched by the government, is an ambitious attempt to mitigate the negative consequences of climate change. Ethiopia is, in many respects, at the forefront of climate change.
“I am encouraged to learn that Ethiopia has increased its forest cover due to strong government policy measures that yield the necessary results, and the ambitious target of doubling the forest cover by 2030 is very much impressive. And Norway is proud to have supported this achievement.”
The climate and environment minister added that Norway intends to support Ethiopia during this next phase of the partnership, one which includes the continuation of the REDD+ investment program last year.
In reality, Norway has taken an active role in the Green Legacy effort, an environmental effort aiming at supporting sustainable development and tackling climate change. Norway has been a major supporter of renewable energy sources and has made considerable investments in clean energy technologies. Norway’s support for the Green Legacy Initiative has helped to advance worldwide efforts to combat climate change and promote environmental sustainability. The country’s dedication to these goals sets an example for other countries to follow in the battle against climate change.
For example, the 2023 Norwegian official report from the government and data obtained from local media stated that Ethiopian-Norwegian ties have been improving the two nations’ long-standing collaboration in environmental preservation and climate action. They collaborate on climate adaptation, sustainable forest management, landscape restoration, and food system transformation to achieve food security.
Furthermore, the decade-long support has helped to conserve one million hectares of natural forests, which are now under sustainable management systems. It also helped to restore one million hectares of degraded forests and develop 75,000 hectares of high-value planted forests. The collaboration has resulted in the creation and enhancement of 300,000 livelihoods.
Indeed, Ethiopia and Norway’s collaboration in combating climate change elucidates their common commitment to tackle one of the most serious issues of our day. Both countries are working together to create a more sustainable and ecologically friendly future. Norway’s assistance to Ethiopia in combating climate change indicates their shared commitment to tackling this global issue. Working together, both countries help to create a more sustainable and resilient future for everyone. As a result, other countries should emulate this cooperative effort.
BY EPHREM ANDARAGCHEW
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 3 MARCH 2024
